Sam Curran hat-trick for England overshadowed by Harry Brook revelations

The revelation also increases scrutiny on previous comments made by England regarding the matter, including those of managing director Rob Key, who said ahead of the Boxing Day Ashes Test, before the Brook news had been revealed, that “no formal action” had been taken against any players in relation to that evening in Wellington, where England players had been filmed out drinking before the game, when in fact all of Bethell, Tongue and Brook had been fined.

On the pitch, however, England could not have been happier with their performance in Kandy. They won the toss, restricted their opponents to a below-par total, and then knocked it off with time to spare.

In truth, despite his hat-trick, Curran had been the weakest of the bowlers on the night, conceding 38 runs from his two-and-a-half overs, before he struck three times in succession in the penultimate over to claim his third hat-trick in T20 cricket and take only the second hat-trick for the England men’s team in T20 cricket. Chris Jordan, who took one during the 2024 World Cup against the United States, can lay claim to the other.

Curran’s three wickets were Sri Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka, who was caught at mid-off, before Maheesh Theekshana was caught at long-on. Captain Brook then warmed the hearts of club cricketers around the country, as for Curran’s hat-trick ball, he rejigged the field and positioned himself at slip especially for the occasion. However, Curran didn’t need him, as a full-length ball was too good for tail-ender Maheesh Pathirana and his stumps were dismantled.